Another Basing Question

[Simon Miller]

I'm about to base some 28mm viking miniatures for DBA. A lot of the figures have spears and I'm keen to put them in 4s on a 60mm wide, 30mm deep base so that the elements can form columns without the spears interfering with the ranks in front.

I want 4 to a base for aesthetic purposes, 3 to a base doesn't look like a shieldwall to me.

In HOTT the base depths are stated as a minimum, and players increase them as needed; do DBA players do this too?

[Roland Fricke]

I think Bob and others will tell you that as long as the base depth is correct to the list you're ok. I base some of my 3Wb with 4 figures just becasue I think it looks better with certain manufacturers. Just make sure you explain to your opponent at the start so there no surprises half way through the game.

[xeswop]

In NASAMW tournaments variations in base depths are allowed to facilitate placement of large figures. The depths should not be as deep as the next deeper size and should be only as deep as absolutely necessary.

When playing, the elements should be considered to be the "official" depth for purpose of recoil, pursuit, and other formation changing. I suggest that you put a mark on the side of the base to indicate its official depth or have an empty official size base available to use for measurement. Now that movement is measured from the corner moving the most, you do not want to lose any distance by having a extra deep base. A player should not gain any advantage for different size bases, nor be at any disadvantage, either. If an opponent thinks a player is gaining any advantage he should discuss this with the umpire so there are no bad feelings later.

Recall that Phil says the rules for HOTT "have no relevance to DBA."

[ October 19, 2004, 12:14: Message edited by: Bob. ]

[Roland Fricke]

Two questions here,
1) can one increase the number of figures for aesthetics - I see no issue IMO since you're taking 3Bl which are already on a 30mm deep base in the 25mm scale so it doesn't sound like you changed from the legal base depth.
and
2) can one increase beyond the legal base size. See Bob answer.

[ October 19, 2004, 12:27: Message edited by: Roland Fricke ]

[Simon Miller]

Chaps,

Thanks. In HOTT the rules permit deeper elements, and I'm gradually moving to a standard of 60mm deep for all cavalry and 30mm deep for all foot except regular spears and pikes; modern hosses just don't fit on 40mm deep.

We usually go for the "next depth up" rather than having depths in between say, 20 and 30mm. It's interesting to see a different pertspective.

I'll have a look at the viking lists again, and stay as close as I can to DBA sizes without compromising the look of the basing; I'm unlikely to run into competition-type play (and don't think Vikings would be my army if I was!).

Cheers

Simon

[Dave Crowell]

Up through 2.1 at least the base sizes given in the rules were only suggestions, not "official" requirements. If you are not playing in competitions and are playing only within a small closed group you should have no problem with using slightly different basing.

If you mark the standard size on the edge of the base and use that for recoils etc it shouldn't even change game play much.

[Simon Miller]

Dave,

Thanks. It's interesting that DBA moved to a tighter base depth, whilst HOTT moved away from it.

In HOTT deeper-than-minimum bases are almost invariably a drawback, as elements recoil their full base depth and deeper units therefore recoil further. Was there percieved to be some sort of advantage to deeper base depth in DBA?

I liked the suggestion of marking the true base depth on the sides of the base, I will bear this in mind.

Simon

[Sarduri II]

"Was there percieved to be some sort of advantage to deeper base depth in DBA?"

In a couple of games this weekend several units of Persian "8" Bow were in use.
They were found by their general to be awkward to manouevre (shame for the highly drilled regular guard Immortals) but they did enjoy the benefit of recoiling 40mm - further than the Warbands they were fighting (or indeed a Knight) could follow up.
This left them out of contact and free to shoot in the subsequent bound, which shallower bases would not have been able to do.

[Simon Miller]

That's an interesting effect I've not heard of before!

I cut the Gordian knot last night and based all the minis 30mm deep; I tried 20mm but the spears wouldn't rank (some are 60mm long). They do look very good indeed on the deeper bases, and will be much easier to play with. Thanks everyone.

Oh and Bill B, if you recall we used to play DBAOL last year; some enjoyable games testing the "warband are useless" theory; which I believe we vindicated!

[xeswop]

Note that many of the HOTT elements, especially in 25mm were reduced in depth in 2.0. Now all the 25mm bases are in proportion to the 15mm ones.

The text on basing conventions at the top of the basing charts for both games are almost the same wording. The HOTT text, at the bottom of the chart, indicates that the depths are minima and can be expanded to accomodate larger figures. This is especially true for the behemoths, beasts, dragons, and flyers.

DBA 2.2 added the rule about elements recoiling and pursuing a base width max to follow the same one in HOTT. Some elements will still recoil out of contact. The 6Bw is a good example. Maybe they are worth having as an extra deep element.

Originally posted by Simon Miller:
Thanks. It's interesting that DBA moved to a tighter base depth, whilst HOTT moved away from it.

In HOTT deeper-than-minimum bases are almost invariably a drawback, as elements recoil their full base depth and deeper units therefore recoil further. Was there percieved to be some sort of advantage to deeper base depth in DBA?

I liked the suggestion of marking the true base depth on the sides of the base, I will bear this in mind.

Simon

[Simon Miller]

HoTT 2.0 was my earliest encounter with HOTT; I'm interested to hear that the bases were previously deeper. I do like the HOTT rules' upward flexibility on base depths; it's proving very challenging to fit 28/30mm deep horses on 40mm deep bases.

I also only have DBA 2.0; I shall have to get the latest edition.

Cheers

Simon

Bob said:
Note that many of the HOTT elements, especially in 25mm were reduced in depth in 2.0. Now all the 25mm bases are in proportion to the 15mm ones.

The text on basing conventions at the top of the basing charts for both games are almost the same wording. The HOTT text, at the bottom of the chart, indicates that the depths are minima and can be expanded to accomodate larger figures. This is especially true for the behemoths, beasts, dragons, and flyers.

DBA 2.2 added the rule about elements recoiling and pursuing a base width max to follow the same one in HOTT. Some elements will still recoil out of contact. The 6Bw is a good example. Maybe they are worth having as an extra deep element.